Hydroxytyrosol is a tyrosol ester and phytonutrient that can be
found in olives, olive leaves and olive oil. It has a number of health
benefits in humans which include fighting dangerous free radicals,
preventing bacterial growth and more. In this article I will be taking
an in-depth look at hydroxytyrosol and outlining how it can boost your
health.
1) DISCOVERY:
People have been aware of the benefits of hydroxytyrosol and olive oil since ancient times where it was classed as a miracle food. However, there is very little information available on who discovered this phytonutrient or when it was discovered.
2) HEALTH BENEFITS:
Hydroxytyrosol is a highly potent antioxidant that can keep your body's cells safe from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are nasty substances that are released into your body's cells during oxygen based reactions. They have been linked with an increased risk of cancer (a disease where your body's cells start to grow in a rapid, uncontrollable way), an increased risk of diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels become extremely high), an accelerated ageing process and a weak immune system. It is also acts as an antibacterial (a substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria) and can strengthen the immune system.
In addition to the confirmed health benefits above, provisional evidence suggests that this tyrosol ester may have even more health benefits. For starters, it may prevent atherosclerosis (a condition where hard plaques form in the artery walls, restrict the flow of blood and increase your heart disease risk), Alzheimer's disease (a mental disorder which leads to the loss of memory, thought and speech), cancer, heart disease and Parkinson's disease (a disorder which leads to the loss of mobility and speech). It may also protect your body's cells from the damage caused by smoking, protect the nervous system from damage and reduce blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that blocks the arteries and increases your heart disease risk).
3) FOOD SOURCES:
Hydroxytyrosol can only be found in 3 foods - olives, olive leaves and olive oil. It can also be found in some herbal supplements.
4) SUMMARY:
Hydroxytyrosol is an extremely powerful antioxidant that also has a lot of other promising health benefits. Olives make a great snack food that can also be added to salads whilst olive oil can be added to almost any meal. So make sure you enjoy all the benefits of this tyrosol ester by eating plenty of olives and olive oil.
1) DISCOVERY:
People have been aware of the benefits of hydroxytyrosol and olive oil since ancient times where it was classed as a miracle food. However, there is very little information available on who discovered this phytonutrient or when it was discovered.
2) HEALTH BENEFITS:
Hydroxytyrosol is a highly potent antioxidant that can keep your body's cells safe from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are nasty substances that are released into your body's cells during oxygen based reactions. They have been linked with an increased risk of cancer (a disease where your body's cells start to grow in a rapid, uncontrollable way), an increased risk of diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels become extremely high), an accelerated ageing process and a weak immune system. It is also acts as an antibacterial (a substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria) and can strengthen the immune system.
In addition to the confirmed health benefits above, provisional evidence suggests that this tyrosol ester may have even more health benefits. For starters, it may prevent atherosclerosis (a condition where hard plaques form in the artery walls, restrict the flow of blood and increase your heart disease risk), Alzheimer's disease (a mental disorder which leads to the loss of memory, thought and speech), cancer, heart disease and Parkinson's disease (a disorder which leads to the loss of mobility and speech). It may also protect your body's cells from the damage caused by smoking, protect the nervous system from damage and reduce blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that blocks the arteries and increases your heart disease risk).
3) FOOD SOURCES:
Hydroxytyrosol can only be found in 3 foods - olives, olive leaves and olive oil. It can also be found in some herbal supplements.
4) SUMMARY:
Hydroxytyrosol is an extremely powerful antioxidant that also has a lot of other promising health benefits. Olives make a great snack food that can also be added to salads whilst olive oil can be added to almost any meal. So make sure you enjoy all the benefits of this tyrosol ester by eating plenty of olives and olive oil.